Tag Archives: family

2014 was a bit of a struggle. It sucked a little personally and it sucked a lot for people I know. I think it would be good to have a visual reminder of what holds my family and friends together when the tough times come around.

A friend of mine has been doing this forever – and I’ve finally got around to stealing it. Here’s her way to celebrate your wins and hold on to what’s truly important.

Every good time – anything you celebrate – grab a momento and write the date/occasion, where it happened and if you have room – who was there. It doesn’t really matter what it is – napkin, card of some sort, Polaroid photo or in my case starting Christmas, a cork from a champagne bottle. You can mix and match – or drink champers all year 🙂 Place each momento into a glass jar/bowl/vase or even novelty oversized martini glass so you can SEE IT – that’s the key.

When times are tough, you’re missing loved ones or your worries take over, you can pick out a good time and smile.

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Nice and quiet here today. I love this suburb. Lots of people out walking but all for the same reason – enjoying a peaceful morning. It’s overcast and grey and there is a bit of drizzle around… the garden is giggling.

I’m old school when it comes to roses. If it doesn’t smell like a rose, I don’t see the point. Mr Lincoln, Freesia, Gold Bunny, Honey Dijon, Double Delight are some of my roses that all have a strong fragrance.

I break my own rule when it comes to my favourite rose. It’s called Julia’s Rose. It buds up a deep brown colour and when it opens it fades to the colour of parchment. My parents had it growing in the garden I grew up with and although it doesn’t have a scent, I love it because of its unusual colour. Parchment. What a delicious word to describe a flower. This is my favourite rose.

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A belated Christmas check in with you all. I hope you had a sane day/s with your family. If not, I hope you were safe and warm and fed and at peace. I fear more and more people don’t have “somewhere to go” during the holidays. I hope if you weren’t with family, you got a smile from someone.

Our family’s Christmas venue changes each year – and that’s ok. What ties us to the years before is what we do on the day. We make sure we do the little things each year to celebrate the season and the beginning of a new year.

It’s a simple as:-

a tupperware server full of nibbles – chocolate scorched almonds, choccie peanuts, jubes, rumballs, cashews, macadamia nuts. And it magically refills overnight to be full again for the feet up tradition of watching the Boxing Day test and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race

a bowl of mock chicken dip (my Nanna’s recipe and made by mum)

a tray full of mangoes – eaten over the sink or in a bowl with ice-cream

copious cups of coffee and tea and a good chat over each one

cold roast chicken and ham off the bone with salads galore for lunch, dinner, lunch, dinner…you get the idea!

christmas cake or pudding with custard – although no-one ever has the room

short walks in the heat to stretch the legs and amuse the dog

a christmas tree with gifts under it and cards amongst the branches

at least one gag gift – this year I got an M&M dispenser….”You get in the bowl!” Ha.

no twitter/facebook/texting – but lots of calls

And the best Christmas gift of all – a cracking storm that dumped enough rain to fill the tanks and back up the down pipes.

Here’s cheers to you and yours.

The best Xmas pressie an Aussie can get

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I love family get togethers. My family gathers for a meal every fortnight to catch up and share what’s going on. It’s not a long amount of time, given the travel distances, but it’s a good time. It’s so we can all connect in to each others lives. Otherwise, we get too busy with all the “have to do” to really know how each other is going. It’s not enough to just trust they’ll tell you if they need something.

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Today was Mothers Day down under. The second Sunday of May. It’s a beautiful drive out to where my parents live – takes around an hour and a half. Coffees in keep cups, pressies and flowers on the back seat and we hit the road early. We time it so we’re just in time for a cuppa…once we get past the big puppy.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks my mum is the sweetest woman in the world, but I’m the only one who’s right 🙂 She must be amazing to have raised such fine kids – ha!

Here’s to the women who raised us – no matter what title you give them. I hope you got to give yours a hug too.

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I spent a lovely evening celebrating a significant milestone for a family member. It’s really enjoyable to see the wonderful people someone you know has gathered into their circle. The conversation was cheerful and fun, with everyone there for the same reason – to celebrate a great person’s time with us all. We all know about the ups and the downs – but the room was full of those grateful to have shared it all.

I’m atrocious with small talk – I’m a little awkward and shy. It takes me a while to read the room and pitch “me” accordingly. I’m always surprised, and very grateful, for a table full of strangers who are sooooo easy to talk to. No-one really knew each other, but to figure out how we all fit the jigsaw of the birthday boys’ life was hilarious.

It’s been a while since I’ve been genuinely shocked at how late the time was when we had to start thinking about leaving… That’s a testament in itself.

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I love the drive out to mum and dad’s place. It’s even nicer when I get to be a passenger and can sit and daydream. Although it’s getting dry, there’s still green to be seen. Out west will be needing some rain soon.

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Last night I got hooked into watching The Queen with Helen Mirren playing Her Majesty. I’ve never watched it before, and missed a bit of the start, but it brought back a lot of memories. The day of the election of 1997 was my first day in England. The 2 May I went to the front of Buck House to see the changing of the guards (as you do) and both John Major and Tony Blair presented themselves to the Queen. One to get his golden handshake and the other to be invited to take on the job.

I was in London when Diana died. I slept on the Mall the night before her funeral. There didn’t seem to be any other place to be, really. I remember talking to so many Welsh people who’d driven down to pay their respects. Lovely people, saddened they’d lost a woman they’d claimed as theirs. It’s the ‘being claimed’ that was their reason for why they mourned so openly in public. The People’s Princess.

I remember debating whether it was appropriate to photograph the funeral procession. I rarely go anywhere without my camera. I’d taken photos of the flowers at Kensington Palace, Buck House, and Westminster Abbey. I wasn’t sure the procession of the casket was something I should be snapping at, more I should stop and bow my head and focus on prayer. I had an interesting discussion with an Irishman about it. He thought I was nuts to be troubled about it – said ‘this is history’. I’m still not sure to this day, but I did take photos. I feel like I invaded the family’s privacy – even though it was there for all to see. Such sadness, such stoic propriety, such an intense atmosphere.

I remember the comments about the family not coming down, the media full of poisonous judgement. But the Princes did come – Andrew and Edward. They walked up to Buck House and were mobbed with people thanking them for being there. Thanking them for being with the British people. Extraordinary times.